Butcher Waste as Biofuel

Project Overview

FW08-033
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2008: $14,885.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2009
Region: Western
State: Oregon
Principal Investigator:
Kelly and Ross McGarva
Email

Commodities

  • Animals: bovine

Practices

  • Education and Training: extension, on-farm/ranch research
  • Production Systems: holistic management
  • Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, sustainability measures

    Proposal summary:

    Ross McGarva, a south-central Oregon cattle rancher, used a 2007 funded Western SARE project to convert butcher waste from animals into compost/organic fertilizer that he is applying to his fields. This Farmer/Rancher Grant will render oil from the butcher waste into biodiesel, a discovered resource that is currently being wasted during the fertilizer production.

    The technical advisor, Jan Busboom, will help determine the best procedure for extracting and rendering the anticipated 1,800 to 2,400 gallons of oil, annually. This project will put to work an unused resource and provide a renewable fuel for farm equipment.

    Local high school students and the agriculture community will be targeted with the project results as will the Northwest Meat Processors Association.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.